Pictured is Ricky Gervais with rescue dog Barney supporting WSPA's (World Society for Protection of Animals) Collars not Cruelty campaign. Now in its second year, the global campaign is calling on governments to stop killing millions of dogs, and instead run effective dog vaccination programmes to help stamp out Rabies.

On World Rabies Day -- 28 September 2012, WSPA is demanding an end to the needless and cruel killing of dogs in response to rabies.

Ricky Gervais says "Every year more than 55,000 people die from rabies, mostly as a result of dog bites. In response, many governments organise mass dog culls in a mis-guided attempt to eliminate the disease. But the culling of dogs is needless, cruel and ineffective in the fight against rabies. "I'm backing WSPA's Collars not Cruelty campaign, to help end the unnecessary deaths of million dogs, culled every year, because of our fear of rabies.

"WSPA is calling on governments and communities everywhere to replace culling with mass dog vaccination programmes, during which dogs are fitted with red collars to show they are vaccinated against this deadly disease.

"Mass vaccinations are the only proven solution for controlling rabies, in both dogs and humans".

WSPA is calling on governments and communities everywhere to replace culling with mass dog vaccination programmes, during which dogs are fitted with red collars to show they are vaccinated against this deadly disease.

Mass dog vaccination works. It's the only proven solution for controlling rabies, in both dogs and humans.

To find out more about WSPA's Collars Not Cruelty campaign or make a donation visit www.wspa.ca/red-collar